]]>Boris Johnson on Wednesday attempted to get a Bill passed under the Fixed Term Parliament Act to call a general election as early as 15 October as retaliation for the action of MPs. This attempt was also unsuccessful, leaving Johnson with the unenviable record of 3 defeats within 2 days – a record low for any Prime Minister, let alone one who has been in the job for mere weeks.

To add to Johnson’s woes, former Tory MP Phillip Lee, in a stunt that will live long in memory, walked across the floor to defect to the Liberal Democrats party, leaving Johnson with a minority government. The Prime Minister was seemingly stunned and harried throughout the remainder of his speech. Some commentators have suggested it seems that Johnson is cracking under pressure, whilst Jeremy Corbyn seems to be rising to the challenge.

In a damaging statement, Phillip Lee MP said:

“This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom.”

He further added:

“More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way.”

This latest piece of theatre follows a series of extraordinary manoeuvres and threats by the Johnson government, which was only thrust into power by little over 160,000 conservative members. Foremost among these is PM Johnson’s prorogation of parliament, which is patently an attempt to circumvent democracy. The BBC, which is funded by the license fees of millions of households in the UK, attempted to play down the prorogation of parliament when a BBC journalist asked former Conservative deputy PM Michael Heseltine:

“Isn’t there a risk that there’s been an overreaction to this given that there was scheduled to be a recess anyway…”

The Tory grandee replied: “Come off it, this is sophistry. You know perfectly well that this is the spin of a ruthless No 10 machine. This is a significant, determined, calculated move to frustrate parliament. Don’t let anybody deceive you about anything else.”[1]

Following on from the prorogation, prominent Brexiteer Michael Gove MP refused to rule out that the executive would ignore any law passed by parliament.[2] This position has been reinforced by PM Johnson when, in his speech, he refused to countenance any scenario in which he would ask Brussels for an extension. It seems that those in power consider themselves above the law, which provides a frightening insight to how a post-Brexit government could behave.

Michael Gove has been subject to even more criticism in recent days for failing to publish a no deal dossier warning of food, fuel, and medicine shortages.[2] Senior doctors, including consultant neurologist Dr David Nicholls, have voiced concerns about the availability of drugs if the UK was to leave the EU without a deal.[3] Dr. Nicholls spoke from a position of authority as he was involved in writing part of Operation Yellowhammer plans for a no deal. Retailers today also warned that a ‘crash out’ Brexit would cause shortages of fresh food together with a rise in prices.

Johnson’s reaction has been to call a general election. However, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party appear to be out-manoeuvring Johnson by asking for legal guarantees before agreeing to an election, and it appears that Labour MPs were instructed to abstain on the general election vote in order to inflict a further crushing blow on the Government.

Commentators have suggested that senior Tory strategist Dominic Cummings was planning to trap Labour into agreeing to a general election, only to change the date until after the 31st October – thereby allowing the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal, although it is open to question whether Johnson and his posse will abide by the judiciary given their contempt for the legislature.

In addition, Johnson’s threat to deselect Tory MPs who voted against him on Tuesday has come to fruition, with 21 MPs having the whip removed. These MPs include the Father of the House Kenneth Clarke MP, prominent ex-cabinet ministers, and Nicholas Soames MP (grandson of Winston Churchill). The irony of PM Johnson, author of ‘The Churchill Factor’, deselecting the grandson of the British wartime hero and Johnson’s own role model is not lost on some.[4] In a withering statement today, Nicholas Soames said:

“I want to make clear that I have always believed the referendum vote must be honoured, and indeed I have voted for the Withdrawal Agreement on every occasion it has been put before the house – which is more than can be said for the prime minister, the leader of the house, and other members of the cabinet whose serial disloyalty has been such an inspiration to so many of us.”[5]

It may be reasonably asked why such unconventional and desperate moves are being made in the 11th hour. The leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, did attempt to form a transitional government in order to stop the UK crashing out of the EU, only to be blocked by Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson. It seemed that the newly elected Liberal Democrat leader was uncomfortable supporting Jeremy Corbyn’s temporary premiership to avoid a catastrophic Brexit (despite it being the raison d’être for the party and its revived fortunes), but was more than happy to support the coalition Tories’ austerity policies for 5 years.

Whilst in coalition, Swinson conducted an unforgiveable about-turn on student tuition fees, which is having a profound impact on students today and has left many with debts running into the tens of thousands of pounds. The austerity policies of the Tories-Liberal Democrats coalition also included the bedroom tax and vicious cuts to public services.[6]

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news/brexit-mps-reject-boris-johnsons-call-for-general-election/feed/048792What Can YOU Do for Tuqa?https://www.islam21c.com/current-affairs/what-can-you-do-for-tuqa/
https://www.islam21c.com/current-affairs/what-can-you-do-for-tuqa/#commentsTue, 30 Jul 2019 17:29:29 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=47107“And when the girl who was buried alive is asked. For what sin she was killed?”

]]>There are a few images in modern history which speak to our collective human shame. Of them is the photograph of the ‘napalm girl’ from the Vietnam war, or the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima, or images of emaciated men held in concentration camps during the Balkan war. Syria, perhaps because of the rise of citizen journalism, has scorched our memories with far too many distressing images than will allow any conscience to remain silent.

Last week, yet another striking image was shared on social media. In a single photograph, so many narratives and countless human emotions were spoken.

We see the distraught father, head in his hands, helpless. Any father cannot help but feel his anguish. To recall the first moment your child was held by you, where you promised to protect and cherish them.

Moving down the photo we can just about make out a small child, buried under the rubble clutching another, even smaller child. As we all now know, the small child under the rubble was Riham, just five years old, whilst her younger sister whom she had saved, was Tuqa, just seven months. [1] Riham would later die of her injuries, her final act being saving her infant sister’s life. Tuqa remains in intensive care.

What the image does not show is what has become a sadly familiar story in Syria: the missing mothers. Riham and Tuqa’s mother is in the picture, buried somewhere under the rubble. Her life taken by yet another Russian bomb.

What the image does not tell you is the emotional impact it must have on a community which has to persistently remove lifeless child corpses from under the rubble.

What the image also does not show are the so-called ‘terrorists’ that Putin and his gang claim to be targeting. Or were the ‘terrorists’ the 10 members of a single family – including three children – killed in Khan-Sheikun by Russian airstrikes?

On a near daily basis, Russian ordnance has fallen from the skies killing indiscriminately. The ground now soaks with the blood of children as scattered limbs of their mothers are gathered by their mourning fathers.

Or are the ‘terrorists’ the countless number of children whose limbs have amputated following Russian airstrikes? History will recall Syria as the war in which the targeting of children became acceptable.

These are the terrorists Putin and Assad are killing: children not even old enough to say their own names.

وَإِذَا ٱلۡمَوۡءُ ۥدَةُ سُٮِٕلَتۡ * بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ۬ قُتِلَتۡ

“And when the girl who was buried alive is asked. For what sin she was killed?” [2]

At first, reading these āyāt may appear odd. After all, it is normative practice for the alleged criminal to be questioned over his crime. And this is seen today where dictators are given air time to propagate untruths to defend their actions. Putin and Assad are past masters at this. The latter and his wife even being interviewed in 2015 by the BBC, where he was addressed as “President”. Many commentators saw this as a turning point in the crisis for the regime’s rehabilitation onto the international stage.

Returning to the āyāt; rather than giving the criminal an opportunity to make excuse, he is given no voice. It is as if to say that there can be no justification for this crime. Instead, the oppressed – the one who had been violated – her voice is raised.

Some commentators have suggested the increased intensity of bombing in civilian areas is due to Assad’s failure to make any headway against rebel forces on the battlefield. It appears the Assad regime is lashing out at unarmed civilians because they are being frustrated by the fierce resistance of rebel forces.

Sadly, many Muslims have now resigned themselves to Syria, with a ‘what can we do?’ attitude. However, there is so much we can do here in the west for our families in Syria, but we just need to show a fraction of their fortitude and reliance on Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā).

One action is to call out Russia for its crimes. Putin may not much care for his international reputation, but he does care deeply about the financial bottom line. Gazprom is an energy giant which is majority owned by the Russian Government and had an annual revenue of 188 billion dollars in 2018. [3] Gazprom is also a key sponsor for the UEFA Champions League, as shown exclusively in the UK by BT Sport. Does a brand such as BT want to be associated with the murder of children in Syria? Let us ask them. In fact, let us also ask English clubs (Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Chelsea FC, and Tottenham FC) who will play in the Champion’s League if they are comfortable being associated with Gazprom?

Gazprom is the UK’s leading business gas supplier. It boasts clients such as McDonald’s and Siemens. Peter Schroeder, Senior Energy Consultant at McDonald’s UK, is quoted as saying:

“The fact that every single franchise in Great Britain has chosen to take this contract up shows the faith they have both in McDonald’s to select the right supplier and in Gazprom Energy to deliver a good service.” [4]

We need to ask McDonalds, which purports itself to be a family friendly eatery, if they are comfortable with Gazprom knowing what its majority shareholder is doing to children in Syria? If there is no response, then we can send a message by withholding our custom.

Raising awareness about Gazprom and these businesses is easy. We can simply tweet or post the striking image of Riham and her Tuqa on their various social media sites asking if Gazprom profits bought the bombs that destroyed their lives? It is the least we can do to honour the life of our daughter, Riham.

May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) ease the suffering for the people of Syria and end the brutal Assad regime. Āmīn.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/current-affairs/what-can-you-do-for-tuqa/feed/147107Is the Nicki Minaj mega music festival really that shocking?https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/is-the-nicki-minaj-mega-music-festival-really-that-shocking/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/is-the-nicki-minaj-mega-music-festival-really-that-shocking/#respondSun, 07 Jul 2019 20:27:13 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=46294The festival is set to run into the days of Dhul Hijjah when Muslims from around the world travel to the sacred lands for Hajj.

]]>Just a short journey from where the Prophet Muhammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) is laid to rest, a festival in which musicians from around the globe, including Nikki Minaj who is known for her profanity laden songs with references to casual sex and drugs, is to take place in Jeddah, the sacred land of the hijāz. The festival is set to run into the days of Dhul Hijjah when Muslims from around the world travel to the sacred lands for Hajj.

The Jeddah Season Festival is part of the Crown Prince, Muhammad b. Salman’s ‘reformation’ program for the Kingdom. It follows hot on the heels of Mariah Carey’s concert in December, or as it was otherwise known, ‘Christmas Concert’.

Saudi Arabia is traditionally a conservative Muslim country and popstars such as Minaj are at odds with the cultural values of the vast majority of the people within it. Indeed, such popstars do not only offend the values of orthodox Muslims, but also the values of people of other faiths, no faith, and those who oppose the objectification of women, the sexualisation of the entertainment industry, and the grotesque use of profanity.

Many have interpreted these developments as being a charm offensive, as the country was outed for the murder and decapitation of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as well as being widely condemned for the war in Yemen. By dropping thousands of bombs on the poorest country in the Middle East, the nation has been reeling in famine, which has already claimed the lives of countless children.

These changes have been pitched to the West as great reform in the Middle East. However, commentators have pointed out that holding pop concerts and even allowing women to drive are superficial distractions from the real problems in the country. For example, the rate of unemployment remains at record levels: almost 13% of the population, in which the majority are under 30. Despite the song and dance with which the authorities have introduced their economic reforms, the economy has been largely unaffected. [1] Rather than investing inwardly and using the country’s vast oil wealth to spearhead research into renewable energy – especially solar energy – the House of Saud has chosen to invest $3.5 billion into Uber and a further several billion into other Silicon Valley companies, such as Slack, We Work, and a dog walking app named Wag. [2]

The Jeddah Music Festival is a pitiful imitation of the worst aspects of Western culture and it betrays the colonised mind-set that still pervades the Middle East and beyond, rather than celebrating the country’s thousands of years of heritage. Many have argued the authorities could have portrayed their country as a confident and dignified Muslim country, comfortable in its Islamic identity and yet ready to become a hub for modern technology and finance.

Is ‘Progress’ the Imitation of Former Colonisers?

To borrow from Karl Marx, these Western style festivals are merely an opium for the masses – something to divert them from the real issues in their country. These include the ability to elect their own leaders, the separation of the executive from the judiciary, a free press which holds the ruler to account, protection of civil liberties, rule of law, an affordable healthcare system, and employment. All of these things, however, had been brought by the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) 1400 years ago.

It is likely that the thousands of people who attend the concerts are not representative of the general population, which totals to 33 million. Furthermore, as the son of jailed cleric Sheikh Salman al-Oudah said:

“MBS is not Saudi Arabia. MBS is not the history of Saudi Arabia. MBS is not his own royal family and MBS is not the Saudi public.” [3]

It was after the incarceration of these scholars that MBS felt sufficiently bold enough to introduce what many in the country would consider to be against the basic tenants of Islām.

As a testament to his father’s upbringing, Sheikh Salman al-Oudah’s son showed empathy for others when he commented:

“My father is the most popular figure in the kingdom and he was treated like that. So just imagine those who are less known or even not known to the public or to the international media, what would they do? How would they treat such people?” [4]

Modernisation is not holding concerts or opening cinemas. Rather, it is establishing civil rights. It is giving people agency to elect their leaders. It is the separation of state from the judiciary. It is having a free or affordable healthcare system. It is not the repression of political dissent, the imprisonment of political activists, or the murdering of journalists.

Some commentators have suggested that the monarchy is living on borrowed time. Its repression of citizens, the pulverisation of one of the poorest countries in the world, and the murdering of orphans and widows. Furthermore, its brazen disrespect of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)’s most beloved will have a cost, either in this life or the next. Is this really reform or is it the conflation of reformation with modernising dictatorship?

]]>Lights. Camera. Action. For many little girls, growing up to be an actress in Bollywood is the dream. The glitz and the glamour, the award ceremonies, the outfits, the fame. One such girl whose dream came true was Zaira Wasim. Only three years ago, Zaira Wasim, aged 22, starred in Dangal which became the highest grossing Indian film ever and the highest earning non-English speaking film in history. [1]

Two days ago, Zaira Wasim shocked the Bollywood world and her 250,000 fans by announcing that she was returning to Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). In a heartfelt post on Facebook, the former Bollywood actress opened her heart to the world. The words which poured forth were seemingly filled with regret for her mistakes and showed true devotion to her Maker. Our sister explained how she struggled with her īmān (faith in Allāh) in a world filled with indecency and that whilst she may “fit here perfectly, she doesn’t belong here.” [2] These words perfectly echoed the sentiment of many youth who have turned their backs on a lifestyle of hedonism. Our sister explained to us that despite the trappings of her fame and success, she only found contentment with the “words of Allāh.” [2] Despite the many Islamic courses and events we may attend, our sister, in just a simple sentence, showed us the real meaning of following words of her Merciful Lord:

In Sister Zaira’s lengthy Facebook post, three themes jump out: regret; love of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā); and love of the Qurʼān. Before we explore each, let us look at the cost of sins.

The Loss in Barakāh

We all commit sins occasionally. There is not a man or woman alive except that he or she has violated some of the laws of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā), but what He does not want from us is to persistently sin. The effect of insisting upon a sin turns a minor sin into a major one, and the cost of this could be losing out on barakah. So, what is barakah? It is when Divine benefit is placed in a matter so that the goodness from it grows beyond what was expected. For example, you can have two people earning the same amount, but one has a halal income, whereas the other does not. The latter may experience an unhappy household, whilst the former could have a loving, respectful family, with a house filled with laughter. What is the difference? Barakah.

The Loss of Angelic Supplications

When we are in difficulty, we often turn to people we consider are pious to make duʿāʾ for us – our parents, living scholars, and the like. But just imagine that the Angels, who were created for the sole purpose of worshipping Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā), making duʿāʾ for you. And not just any Angels – those specific Angels who have the honour to carry the throne of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) and say:

“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.” [4]

The Cure for Sins: Tawbah

In the previous āyah, we also see the cure for our sins: tawbah.But what is tawbah? Tawbah is repentance and the essence of repentance is regret. It is a feeling in the heart of sorrow at falling short in obedience to Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). It is the cornerstone of a Muslim and an obligation:

“And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” [5]

The soft heart will see here the key to success, both in this life and the next, is sincere repentance. This is something our sister Zaira has clearly understood. A word here in regard to our youth: we need to challenge ourselves to communicate with them in a forum and language that engages them, to answer the questions they are really asking, and not the ones we want to answer. It is easy for us to remain in a pseudo-pious bubble, spouting quotations from third century scholars, but it is likely to fall on deaf ears, who are busy listening to the likes of Drake and Riri. Nor should we make our youth feel they have so many sins that there is no hope for them. After all, we all have sins, to varying degrees and of different types. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:

“All of the children of Ādam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent.”[6]

No doubt, the brave, public statement of the former Bollywood actress can be an excellent starting point to discuss priorities and goals in life with our youth. Let us not waste this opportunity.

From a sinner to another, it is easy to feel hopeless when you look at your pile of sins. Indeed, this is what Shayṭān wants from you – to despair at your sins. But, here you have perhaps made a bigger mistake than all of your sins combined. You have lost hope in the mercy of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā), when He has said in a ḥadīth Qudsī:

“O son of Ādam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Ādam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Ādam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the Earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.” [7]

And, we should never feel like we are too far gone for Him:

“Whoever draws close to me by the length of a hand, I will draw close to him by the length of an arm. Whoever draws close to me the by length of an arm, I will draw close to him by the length of a fathom. Whoever comes to me walking, I will come to him running. Whoever meets me with enough sins to fill the earth, not associating any idols with me, I will meet him with as much forgiveness.” [8]

Remind yourself about the magicians of the Pharoah. These were people who practiced black magic, so their sins must have been immense. Yet, when they saw the miracle of Mūsā (ʿalayhi al-Salām), Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) opened their hearts to the truth, and they fell into prostration and said:

“Our Lord! Pour out upon us patience, and cause us to die in submission.” [9]

Who is Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)?

Imagine, if BBC News reported that we had finally made contact with alien life and their message to us would be aired at 2am. The whole world would stay up for the broadcast. However, what is placed on our shelves is a message that is out of this world. It is not from the created, but from the Creator of everything. And to Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) belongs the best of examples.

We do not do justice to the Qurʼān because we have not appreciated who Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) is. Not that endeavour could ever be completed, but He has revealed many of His names and attributes in the Qurʼān for us to learn about Him. He chose to reveal these details about Him, possibly because as humans, we can relate to these attributes to some degree.

So let us take the name al-Raḥmān, commonly translated as “Most Merciful”. Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) says:

How do we understand Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)’s mercy? We could start by looking at the mercy we have experienced in our own lives. We could reflect on the mercy that our mothers have shown us; their sacrifice of sleep and health for our well-being. Then, we could add to this the hadith of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam)when speaking of a woman who had thought she lost her child, but when she found him gave him a loving embrace. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) turned to his companions and asked:

“’Do you think that this woman would throw her child in the fire?’

We[the companions] said, ‘No, by Allāh, not if she is able not to.’

The Messenger of Allāh(sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Allāh is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’” [11]

How about Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)’s name, al-ʿĀlim; the One who knows everything? Pause for a moment. What a statement. What an attribute: to know….everything. Subḥān Allāh! How perfect Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) is. So let us take a second and then consider what happens in London during that small unit of time. Why stop there? Let us widen it out to the UK and even to the world, but only in that one second. He knows what happens within that unit of time everywhere. He knows what you were doing and what I was doing. He knows about the number of raindrops, the movement protons and electrons, the speed of rotation of planets, the rate of expansion of the Universe, the chemical processes within our bodies, the leaves falling from the trees, and even whathappens in the deepest and darkest of oceans. It is nothing short of mindboggling to start to try to appreciate how much Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) knows in just that one second, let alone everything in the past, present, and future. He is beyond amazing. Beyond words. Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) is beyond any appreciation of Him by us mere mortals.

Developing a Relationship with Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)

Thus, getting to know Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) and developing a relationship with the Qurʼān go hand in hand. It is from the Qurʼān, its recitation and its reflection, we can learn about Him. So, let us say we are going through some financial difficulties; we can read the passages in the Qurʼān that teach us that He is al-Razzāq, the Provider. This name of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) then becomes more than a sterile, academic endeavour of memorisation, and it becomes an organic, tangible experience. So, when we call out to Him using this name, the value in our duʿāʾ is so much more. It becomes a cry from the depth of our soul which reaches beyond the highest skies. In the final analysis, what is life but a journey to our Lord, and what an excellent voyage it would be, if during which, we can forge a relationship with Him such that:

“My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.” [12]

Our sister is not the first ‘celebrity’ to turn her back on fame and fortune. Sinead O’Connor, who has taken the name of Shuhada’ recently embraced Islām. Other notable ‘celebrity’ reverts include the singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, Rapper Ice Cube, who reverted to Islām in the 1990s, and Mos Def, who said:

“You’re either devoted to your job, or to your desires. So the best way to spend your life is to try to be devoted to prayer, to Allah.” [13]

Furthermore, we cannot forget comedian David Chappelle, who became Muslim in 1998 and said:

“I don’t normally talk about my religion publicly because I don’t want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing.” [14]

Neither can we forget former professional footballer Emmanuel Adebayo, nor of course, rugby union star Sonny Bill Williams, who said:

“It’s giving me happiness. It’s made me become content as a man and helped me to grow. I’ve just got faith in it and it has definitely helped me become the man I am today.” [15]

We are living in an age where fame is craved for and celebrities are worshipped. However, perhaps what all these ‘celebrities’ realised is that despite being in a crowd of adoring people, you can still feel all alone, except when you understand and surrender to the undeniable truth that your soul yearns to know: its Creator.

“Has the time not come for those who believe that their hearts should become humble, submissive at the remembrance of Allāh and what has come down of the truth?”[16]

]]>After the results of the European Election, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) filed a complaint of more than 20 pages citing numerous evidence of anti-Muslim bigotry within the Conservative Party. The MCB, together with senior Muslim Conservatives, has been calling for an independent enquiry into the Party’s anti-Muslim bigotry, but so far, these calls have been ignored.

It remains to be seen if the UK’s human rights watchdog launches an investigation into the Conservative Party as it has seen fit to do so in the Labour Party over concerns of antisemitism.

The MCB was keen to point out that their complaint was filed after the European Elections, so as not to influence it in any way.

European Elections Aftermath

Shockwaves caused by the European Elections are still being felt. The night’s winner was clearly the Brexit party with Nigel Farage grinning in glory. The Brexit Party took 29 seats, whilst the Conservative Party had its worst election results in history securing only four seats. Labour also endured a difficult night, winning only 10 seats out of the total 73, whilst the Liberal Democrats and Greens won 16 and 7 seats respectively.

The results can be interpreted in the following ways:

The Conservative party was being punished for not delivering Brexit and being generally incompetent;

The electorate rejected Labour’s muddled message on Brexit;

There may also be a subtle message that the country may have moved towards Remain.

Conservative Party

The party is suffering an existential crisis. A multitude of prospective leaders are scrapping in the most undignified way to vie for the top job. Boris Johnson is clearly the front runner and the European Election results are likely to have strengthened his and other ardent Brexiteers’ position. Their pitch is simple: only a hard Brexiteer can stop the exodus of votes to Nigel Farage.

As distasteful as Johnson is, he is preferable to Michael “people have had enough of experts” Gove. [1] If that is true, and Gove is elected the leader of the Conservative Party, what would that make him?

Boris Johnson is fiercely ambitious. He will say and do whatever it takes to get the keys to number 10, including calling Muslim women who wear the niqāb and burqa “bank robbers” and “letterboxes”. This is not to excuse him; indeed, one may argue that he should have been expelled from the Conservative Party for his comments, but alas, institutional anti-Muslim prejudice seems all too acceptable for the Governing party. Gove, on the other hand, is far more insidious and dangerous. Michael Gove, author of Celsius 7/7 is an ideologue who has made no secret of his disdain for Islam and Muslims, according to many who have read his works in depth. In Gove’s book, he draws direct parallels between ‘Islamism’ and fascism:

“The west faces a challenge to its values, culture and freedom as profound in its way as the threat posed by fascism and communism. But the response to that challenge from many in the west is all too often confused, temporising, weak and compromised.” [2]

As Education Secretary, Michael Gove surprised many, including senior police officers, by appointing the former head of counter-terrorism, Peter Clarke, to investigate reports of a racist “Muslim takeover” conspiracy in Birmingham schools. The so-called Trojan Horse scandal has since been exposed as a hoax.[3] Incidentally, Michael Gove also has a chapter in his book called “The Trojan Horse”.

Labour Party

Jeremy Corbyn is having pressure placed on him by senior members of the party to support a second referendum. Labour is in a pickle; much of their heartlands in the North are Brexit supporting, but also, much of metropolitan London is strongly for Remain. Corbyn has tried to walk a tight rope, but it appears that if you try to please everyone, the result is a disappointment for all.

If we consider Labour to be pro-Europe and then tally the night’s results, the Brexit vote scored 33 seats (29 Brexit Party seats + four Conservatives seats) and the Remain parties scored 36 seats (16 Liberal Democrat seats, 10 Labour seats, 7 Green seats, 3 Scottish National Party seats). [5] Could this be seen as a shift to Remain?

Looming General Election

Had the Euro Elections been a general election, we could now see the Queen asking Nigel Farage to form a government. It is a sobering thought. However, stranger things have happened. Did anyone think one of the World’s only superpowers would elect a former reality TV ‘star’ as their Commander-in-Chief?

What the elections do imply is that with such a polarised electorate, the next government is likely to be in coalition. However, the results also need to be placed in perspective; after all, 63% of the population didn’t vote and the low turnout of 17.4 million was similar to that of 2014.

Nigel Farage, who believes there to be some Muslims who are a “fifth column” and “want to kill us” [6] is likely to feature heavily in the next general election, unless the Conservative Party is able to secure Brexit before such an election. This, however, is unlikely. It appears all roads lead to a general election.

With such an election on the horizon, it is imperative Muslims become more politically aware and active, in the face of the secularisation in the name of splitting ‘Church and state’ to render them politically pliant. Some feel that politics is ‘dirty’ and we should piously confine ourselves to the mosques. Politics affects every part of Muslim life from planning permission to obtain Mosque extensions, to resisting calls for a niqāb ban, and even to challenging Prevent.

With three million Muslims in the UK, the Muslim vote can be critical, but political parties need to be persuaded that the Muslim electorate is active, politically astute, and organised. Once this happens, we will see parties vying with one another to win the Muslim vote.

The Muslim electorate is the single largest faith group after Christians and is greater than Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh communities combined. [7]

Given such universal voter apathy, together with numerous policies exerting such influence on the lives of ordinary Muslims, the impact of a mobilised Muslim vote would have tremendous influence, far in excess of its percentage of the population. We need to make our numbers count, in shā’ Allāh.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/is-british-politics-broken/feed/044680Syria: The Indomitable Human Spirithttps://www.islam21c.com/current-affairs/syria-the-indomitable-human-spirit/
https://www.islam21c.com/current-affairs/syria-the-indomitable-human-spirit/#respondWed, 15 May 2019 17:15:09 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=43947For the first time in Idlib, all the rebel groups have united to counter Assad's latest brutal offensive.

]]>Idlib, Syria, is once again subject to a renewed assault. A relentless aerial bombing campaign is now being followed by a ground offensive to take the southern tip of the province of Idlib.

Bashar al-Assad’s forces, backed by Russian air power, had taken Qalaat al-Madiq, a rebel town closest to Russian Hmeimim Air Base, at Latakia last week. [1] The area had ostensibly been protected by a Turkish-Russian agreement, brokered last year to avert a major offensive and the inevitable civilian casualties which would follow. This appears to be another agreement that Assad has broken.

The ferocity of the current offensive has caused the further displacement of thousands of civilians, many of whom – if not all – had already fled from other parts of Syria to Southern Idlib. Tauqir Tox Sharif from Live Updates Syria reported that a makeshift refugee camp in Khan Shaykhun was bombed by Russian jets, leaving children’s body parts scattered across the ground. Sharif went on to report that at least three hospitals have been targeted by the Russian forces, with an underground hospital even being destroyed after four targeted airstrikes. [2]

Attacking medical centres is a war crime but once again, the international response has been silent. It is Assad’s military tactic to target hospitals, in what has been described as a ‘double-tap’ method. The first is to kill healthcare professionals and their patients; the second is to target the rescue team. However, it is likely only a matter of time before Assad is allowed to re-join the international stage and Western leaders’ line-up in order to shake his blood-stained hands. If this currently seems a far-fetched notion, then consider the example of India’s Narendra Modi: once banned from democratic nations for his anti-Muslim pogrom, he is now feted and given a rapturous welcome by those same countries.

This current military aggression has caused a civilian exodus to north-western Syria. According to the UN, 150,000 civilians have fled their homes to safer areas in Syria. [3] Many of these twice over internally displaced people are now sleeping under the stars and olive trees in northern Idlib, with nothing except what could be carried on their backs.

UN-backed humanitarian organisations have suspended aid operations in Idlib due to safety concerns, as Russia’s indiscriminate bombing has jeopardised the safety of humanitarian workers. On Friday, the UN said: “As of May 8, at least 16 humanitarian partners have suspended their operations in areas impacted by conflict.” [4] The World Food Programme also said it had stopped providing deliveries to 47,000 people due to the aerial bombardment. [4]

The objective of the current aggression remains unclear. Some have suggested that it is a precursor to a wider offensive into all of Idlib. If this is the case, Paul Pinheiro, the head of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, warned that an all-out offensive on Idlib “could generate an unimaginable human rights and humanitarian catastrophe”. [3]

However, this being said, Assad’s forces are being met with fierce resistance. The most recent reports from the front lines revealed that all the rebel groups have united to counter the offensive. This appears to be a historical moment, given that it is the first time this has happened, at least in Idlib. [5]

Another view is that with Iran’s economy in free fall after punishing sanctions were placed upon it by the US government, Iran is finding it increasingly difficult to sustain the war in Syria and is looking for a swift resolution. Whatever the motivation, this tripartite nexus of barbarity is wreaking havoc across southern Idlib.

Ṭālūt and Jālūt (Goliath)

Syria’s story has many parallels to that of Banī Israel and Ṭālūt. At the time Banī Israel were a humiliated group of people and asked their prophet to appoint a King to lead them in battle. Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) chose Ṭālūt. Despite Banī Israel’s reservations, they joined him as they proceeded to the fight against Goliath. Ibn ʿĀshūr states that the army was originally 80,000 strong. However, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) wanted to sift out the gold from the dross, so when the army, who had just marched through the desert, arrived at a much welcome river, Ṭālūt ordered that none should drink any except, at maximum, a handful. Many soldiers disobeyed and gave into the natural desire to quench their thirst. Of the 80,000, it is said that only 340 overcame their desires and placed Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)’s command above their own needs. They demonstrated their trust in Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā).

Ṭālūt marched forwards with only 340 men (a similar number to those at the Battle of Badr). Ostensibly, Ṭālūt’s order may seem strange. After all, his army had just marched through the desert and their thirst must have been at its height. Moreover, would it not have made more military sense to instruct the army to drink its fill, and even take water with them to the battle with Goliath? However, perhaps Ṭālūt did the opposite because he wanted to teach his army that victory did not come from themselves or through their own means, but only from the tawfīk and faḍl of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). Perhaps, Ṭālūt wanted to teach them that with Divine assistance, a handful of water is more powerful than a seemingly overwhelming army, or aerial bombardment, or barrel bombs.

The small army of Ṭālūt approached Goliath’s horde of soldiers. The 340 soldiers saw Goliath’s colossal army, with their soldiers lined up rank upon rank. Outnumbered and outgunned, some soldiers said:

“How often has a small company overcome a large one by the Permission of Allāh?” [6]

And begged Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā):

“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelievers.” [7]

The key characteristic of this latter group was that they were “certain they would meet Allāh”. [6] There are many forms of victory, with the conventional one being, of course, on the battlefield, but there are others, such as overcoming your inner base desires. As we see in the story of Ṭālūt, few are those who achieve this. But the greatest form of victory is to receive the Pleasure of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) – to meet al-Raḥmān – having spent your life trying to raise His Sacred Name high, whether it was achieved by you or not.

The people of Syria have been and are likely to go through further unspeakable tests. We can only imagine the torture of the sounds of bombs raining down upon them whilst trying to console crying children. Many of these children have known nothing but war. We can only imagine the screams of women being sexually assaulted in the dungeons of Assad. However, we do not need to imagine the gruesome torture in Assad’s prisons, for torture survivors have given us a glimpse.

Assad’s Dungeons

It was Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, who instituted the detention system that the London trained eye doctor gleefully continued. In 1982, then-President Hafez al-Assad crushed an uprising in Hama, razing much of the city to the ground and arresting anyone in sight. The following two decades saw thousands of detainees disappear into the detention system. Such detainees were subject to a torture repertoire, informed by French colonialists and Nazis such as Alois Brunner – Adolf Eichmann’s fugitive aide. [8]

Over the weekend, a New York Times report provided harrowing insight into the activities in these prisons. A torture survivor, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw “a teenager take 21 days to die after interrogators doused him with fuel and set him alight”. Another survivor recalled that a guard, who would call himself “Hitler”, would entertain colleagues at dinner by forcing inmates to bark like dogs or bray like donkeys. [9]

Rape and sexual assault are rampant in Assad’s prisons, of women, girls, men, and boys; No one is spared. Mariam Khleif was one such woman. The mother of five recalled being held in a three-foot square basement cell with six other women, where guards would hang her from the walls to beat her. The cell floor was stained with blood from violent rapes as there was no toilet.

Our honourable sister, Mariam, recalled that at midnight, guards would take “the beautiful girls to Colonel Suleiman to rape”. [9] Our sister, in stomach-churning detail, described how the colonel and his friends, casually dressed in tracksuits, sexually assaulted women on a bed adjacent to his office. The office was adorned with a picture of President Assad. To add further insult to injury, the women were sprayed with arak – a type of alcoholic drink. [9]

This is Assad’s secret – and almost invisible – war against the civilians. Whilst his forces have waged a visible, brutal war on defenceless men, women, and children, his henchmen have effected arrests on an industrial scale, throwing hundreds of thousands into secret dungeons. Assad’s brutal crackdown on legitimate grievances by his people and the murder and mutilation was the spark that lit the armed uprising.

Whilst much of the world is turning a blind eye to the atrocities in Syria, French and German authorities have arrested three former security officials and issued arrest warrants for Syria’s national security chief, Ali Mamlouk, and others for the torture and deaths in prisons of citizens or residents of those countries. [9]

It is hoped that the UK will follow this example and send out a clear message, saying that there can be no peace in Syria whilst Assad and his henchmen remain in power. Without this, it gives green light to dictators across the world, telling that the solution to civil unrest is to double down. Justice is not a luxury. Without it, and without being held accountable to international law, we will see dictatorships become even more repressive.

Who will lend money to Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā)?

Imagine your mother asked you for money. You would empty out your bank accounts and sell all your worldly possessions until she was satisfied. Now, imagine your shame, if she did not ask you for a donation but instead, asked for a loan. Consider your embarrassment when you realise that she knew you were too miserly to merely give money, and would only do so if you were guaranteed a return. Allah is al-Ghānī, al-Razzāq, al-Jalīl, al-Majīd, and al-Qayyūm – in need of nothing – but yet He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) asks:

“Who is he that will lend to Allāh a goodly loan so that He may multiply it to him many times? And it is Allāh that decreases or increases (your provisions), and unto Him you shall return.” [10]

It is obligatory on the Muslim nation to support the people of Syria financially with medical, food, and social aid. They can do so with trusted Muslim charities with a proven track record of helping Syrians in Syria. In this sacred month, where the reward for good deeds are multiplied, the Muslim community should let their Syrian family in faith know that they are not alone.

However, the wider Muslim nation can do more than donate. They should also raise the morale of the Syrian people:

The Muslim Ummah has the greatest weapon: duʿā’. These brazen assaults are taking place in the holiest month of the year. It seems there is no fear of reprisal for the Assad regime, but the Muslim nation has the best expectations of the King of kings and know that Assad will pay a dear price. We can only repeat the supplication of Prophet Mūsā (ʿalayhi al-Salām):

“And Moses said: “Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Firʿāun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, splendour and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment.” [12]

Ultimately, the army of Ṭālūt overcame that of Goliath, when a small boy armed with nothing more than his slingshot bravely stepped forward. That boy would go on to become the Prophet Dāwūd (ʿalayhi al-Salām), who would give the Banī Israel their most glorious days. The people of Syria, too, need their own boy with a slingshot to step forward. We know that he will, in our generation or the next, due of the promise of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā):

“And indeed We have written in Zabūr (Psalms) after (We have already written in) al-Lauh al-Mahfūz (the preserved tablet), that My righteous slaves shall inherit the earth.” [13]

]]>Over the last few weeks, Extinction Rebellion has conducted a series of protests across London­­­. These acts of civil disobedience have aims of raising awareness and focusing minds, particularly of those in power, on the devastating effects of climate change, hoping to avert, what they term, “climate catastrophe”.

In what may be the largest coordinated act of civil disobedience in modern British history, protests occurred across the capital, including a “die in” at the Natural History Museum. To date, over 1000 protestors have been arrested, surpassing the number arrested in the anti-nuclear protests in 1982 (752) and the poll tax riots of 1990 (339). [1]

Social commentators have suggested that these protests are very different from other single-issue demonstrations because the protestors are calling to action in order to — as they see it — save humanity, rather than for a personal or community-based gain.

Roger Hallam, founder and organiser of the Extinction Rebellion movement that advocates non-violent civil disobedience, confirmed that no police officers had been hurt in the peaceful protests.

“We’re hoping that the political class wake up, because if they don’t the next thing that will happen will be much more dramatic.” [2]

What is climate change?

Over the last 100 years, scientists have been able to record the Earth’s average temperature. This data shows a clear upward trend in the Earth’s average temperature, meaning that the Earth is getting warmer. In fact, since 1880 it has increased by about 1°C. Of the 22 highest average temperatures recorded, 20 have occurred in the last two decades alone, with two-thirds of the warming having occurred after 1975. [3] This rise in the average temperature of the Earth is colloquially known as climate change.

1°C may not seem like much, however, in global terms, when we consider the amount of energy needed to warm the oceans, the atmosphere, and the land by one-degree, it becomes significant. Indeed, if we consider that it took only a one or two-degree drop to plunge the Earth into the Little Ice Age, then the thought becomes a more sobering one. [4]

What are the causes of climate change?

The earth is getting warmer; of that, there is no doubt. Some have argued that this is a natural variation, however, the preponderance of evidence [5] points to the fact that it is due to human activity. Broadly speaking, climate change is caused by the increase in greenhouse gas emission and large-scale deforestation.

As we all learnt in school, sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and warms its surface. Ordinarily, this heat is radiated back to space. However, most of this heat —as much as 90% [6] — is absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules and then re-emitted in all directions towards the Earth. In simple terms, we can understand these greenhouse gases as a blanket over the Earth. Greenhouse gases primarily include water vapour, but also include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. This has, as a result, caused climate change.

In 1750, around the start of the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air was 280 parts per million by volume, whereas currently, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is 400 parts per million by volume. [7]

Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Another cause is mass deforestation.

Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) created a perfect world in beautiful harmony. One very simple example is that the oxygen we need to live is produced by trees, whilst these same trees take our ‘waste product’ of respiration — namely, carbon dioxide — and produce oxygen with it via photosynthesis. Tragically, as a species, we have not heeded the words of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), who said:

“Take care of this Earth for she is your mother. No one does good or evil on her except that she will speak of it (on the Last Day).” [8]

The resultant mass deforestation, especially in tropical rainforests, has produced an increase in greenhouse gases by 24%. [9] One of the largest reasons for deforestation is palm oil production. At 66 million tons annually, [10] palm oil is big business. We all use it. It is found in foods, cosmetics, cleaning products, and fuels. Day after day, large areas of rainforests in South East Asia and Africa are decimated in order to make more palm oil plantations. This act of deforestation alone releases carbon dioxide and reduces the Earth’s ability to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Is climate change a hoax?

There are, of course, those who claim that the Earth’s temperature rise is a natural variation and not a result of human activity. They are supported by notable intellectual giants like the American president, Donald Trump, who in piercing insight tweeted in 2014:

It's late in July and it is really cold outside in New York. Where the hell is GLOBAL WARMING??? We need some fast! It's now CLIMATE CHANGE

However, it is reasonable to suggest that the changes in the Sun’s energy may also cause the climate to change, given it is the source of energy that drives our climate. It is thought that a decrease in solar energy together with volcanic activity triggered the Little Ice Age. However, since 1750, the amount of energy coming from the Sun has either remained the same or decreased slightly. If warming was coming from the Sun, we would expect to see warming at all levels of the atmosphere. Yet, what is observed by scientists is cooling in the upper atmosphere and warming in the lower parts of the atmosphere. [11]

What are the effects of climate change?

There is growing evidence that suggests climate change is responsible for the extremes in weather that we have seen over recent decades, from heatwaves, to flash floods, and to droughts. According to Carbon Brief’s analysis, 68% of all extreme weather events studied to date were made more likely or more severe by human-caused climate change. Out of the 68%, heatwaves accounted for 43%, droughts made up 17%, and heavy rainfall or floods accounted for 16%. [12].

Climate change can even have an effect on nature, with an example being the loss of biodiversity. Currently, there is a 1.0°C rise in temperature, but if this were to increase to 1.5°C, 20 to 30% of species would be at risk of extinction. According to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), “if the planet warms by more than 2°C, most ecosystems will struggle”. [13]

The impact of climate change is intensified in polar regions, with average temperatures in the Arctic increasing significantly over the past century. The resultant melted glaciers and thermal water expansion have increased sea levels. By the mid-century, it is expected that the Arctic Ocean will become ice-free during the summer [14], with global sea levels due to rise by 1 to 4 feet by the end of the century. Rising sea levels are causing loss of land and forcing people to migrate. One such example is in Louisiana, America, with communities of colour most affected. With a rapidly rising sea level, residents have been given federal help to relocate inland. [15]

However, it is the developing world that is most at risk of climate change and yet, they are the least able to prepare for it. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the countries who hold the greatest responsibility for climate change due to their use of fossil fuels — China, USA and the UK — pay only lip service to the issue. Just last week, Liam Fox, British Secretary of State for International Trade, was accused of being a climate change denier. [16] This followed Prime Minister May non-attendance at a meeting with 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. [17]

Future climate change wars

The Middle East is a volatile region with wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya. At a conference in February 2019, academics warned that climate change would create food scarcity and water shortages, which would thus lead to displaced people and potential wars. [18] We can already see a water war of sorts occurring between the Zionist State and Palestine in Gaza. As reported in the Independent:

“Rights groups say 25-year-old, out-of-date water agreements with Israel effectively sees it hinder the building of Palestinian water infrastructure while siphoning off water resources to its own citizens, who enjoy in some settlements in the West Bank four times the amount of water Palestinians do.” [19]

There are many challenges we face today, including illegal wars to usurp the natural resources of the developing world; third world debt; propping up of dictators; corrupt governance; shadowy lobbyists; and media monopolies. Climate change is interlinked to each, whilst at the same time, is arguably the greatest challenge we face as a species.

If it was not for America’s greed and an insatiable appetite for cheap oil, the two Gulf Wars might not have happened, and one million children might not have starved to death with the despicable Oil-for-Food Programme. In turn, oil might have been more expensive, and it might have been used less, producing less carbon dioxide. Energy companies might not have become the behemoth they are with revenues in the hundreds of billions of dollars. In turn, their influence on government policy might not have been as significant. Those countries who are now most vulnerable to climate change — were it not for crippling interest rates — might have been in a financial position to better prepare for the effects of climate change. As for the media empires that seek to confuse the public about climate change and promote a right-wing agenda, they would be less able to do so with a less pliable government.

There is no simple solution; whatever we do as individuals can only touch the sides, as laudable as they are. What is needed, however, is radical thought and political conviction. Unfortunately, we have political leaders who either are enthralled to multinational companies or accept donations from questionable sources, such as the £875,882 given by Lubov Chernukhin, the wife of a former minister for Russian President Vladimir Putin. [20] Other instances include the donations from Tullow Oil or from Chief Executive of BP, Bob Dudley – an American citizen. [21] These oil and gas companies make eye-watering sums of money, with Exon Mobil having annual revenue of 279 billion dollars. Why can there not be a heavy tax placed on these companies, whereby the revenue can be used to help fight climate change? Or, in the alternative, why not treat them like tobacco companies and launch class action lawsuits against them?

Ultimately, what is needed is to challenge capitalism — To confront the notion that human happiness can be measured by GDP; to question whether the purpose of life is to be more than a till receipt; to ask whether those box-fresh trainers or brand spanking just made in China’s zombie factory iPhone is enough to fill that void within the soul or whether it yearns for something more.

As directed by the Qur’ān, it is upon the Muslim nation to be at the forefront of tackling climate change, after all:

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the Earth a viceroy.’ They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ Allāh said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’” [22]

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/current-affairs/climate-change-activism-a-muslim-duty/feed/043042Anti-Semitism in British Politicshttps://www.islam21c.com/politics/anti-semitism-in-british-politics/
https://www.islam21c.com/politics/anti-semitism-in-british-politics/#respondMon, 25 Feb 2019 19:08:06 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=41043Hundreds of prominent British Jews came out supporting Jeremy Corbyn in the face of the recent furore fomented by his opponents. But why was this largely ignored?

]]>Does anti-Semitism exist in the British community? Sadly it does. Does anti-Semitism exist within the Labour party? Sadly it does. Is Jeremy Corbyn anti-Semitic? Absolutely not. In spite of wall to wall coverage, resignations and condemnations telling us that Jeremy Corbyn is an anti-Semite, scores of prominent Jews have courageously spoken out in his defence.

Over 200 Jewish members and supporters of the Labour party signed a letter urging anyone seeking an end to bigotry and racism to back Jeremy Corbyn.[1] The letter included no fewer than 14 Professors, a councillor and even a Queens Counsel; a group of people who, by their success and status, demand attention. Yet, their letter went largely unreported in the mainstream media.

The letter speaks about how Jeremy Corbyn has devoted his life to fighting racism, and says:

“We note the worrying growth of populist rightwing parties, encouraging racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism. In Britain the far right is whipping up these prejudices, a threat that requires a resolute and energetic response. But instead we have seen a disproportionate focus on antisemitism on the left, which is abhorrent but relatively rare.”

Does criticising Israel, by definition, make you anti-Semitic? Certainly Benyamin Netanyahu and the Israeli lobby would like it to be so. However, as these 200 Jewish signatories say:

“we welcome the Labour party’s endorsement of freedom of expression on Israel and on the rights of Palestinians. Labour is correct to recognise that while prejudice against Jewish people is deplorable, criticism of Israel’s government and policies can and must be made.”[2]

Jewish Voice for Labour’s letter should be applauded for its courage. Signatories of the letter have suffered abuse for their support of Jeremy Corbyn and/or support for Palestinian rights. Such abuse includes comments made to renowned children’s author Michael Rosen who recalls on twitter:

“It is funny. Simon Lipson is saying to me (in effect) ‘You [Michael Rosen] hate being Jewish so much you even pretend you’re Jewish.’ It’s like something straight out of ‘Curb your Enthusiasm’.”[3]

and

“And you might have thought that a TV personality calling Corbyn-supporting Jews, ‘malevolent, treacherous and psychologically damaged’ would raise a media eyebrow? Nope.”[4]

Is there a difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism?

The distinction has taken sharp focus in the USA with Senator Ilhan Omar. The Somali-born congresswoman may not be a household name in Britain, but take note, because this Muslim woman is making waves.

The 37-year-old mother-of-three and former refugee is the first Somali-American, the first African-born American and the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab in the House of Representatives[5]. Not bad for an immigrant, aye Mr Trump?

Omar and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (the other first Muslim Congresswoman) have been targeted by Republicans and accused of anti-Semitism for past comments. Both women are outspoken critics of the State of Israel.

The most recent controversy started when a journalist accused a senior Republican of “attacking free speech” by targeting the Muslim Congresswomen. Omer responded:

“It’s all about the Benjamins, baby.”[6] – a reference to $100 dollar bills.

Another journalist then asked Omar who she believed was “paying American politicians to be pro-Israel.” To which she replied:

“AIPAC.”

The American Israeli Public Affairs Committee is an influential pro-Israeli lobby group, but to truly understand AIPAC, we need an anecdote. In 2005, a senior official with AIPAC sat down for dinner with a journalist and grabbed a napkin. The senior AIPAC official, Steven Rosen, rhetorically asked: “You see this napkin? In 24 hours (AIPAC) could have the signatures of 70 senators on this napkin.” Now, that’s power.

Ilhan Omar has since apologised for her tweet which unwittingly played into anti-Semitic tropes about ‘rich Jews controlling the world.’ However, the influence of AIPAC on US politics is clear. We need only look at New York Time’s Tom Friedman, an advocate of Israel, who described the standing ovation of members of Congress for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as having been “bought and paid for by the Israel lobby.”[7]

The natural question then follows: does such a lobby exist in the UK and if so, is it this lobby which is targeting Jeremy Corbyn? Richard Silverstein, a Jew whose work has appeared in Haaretz, the Seattle Times and Los Angeles Times thinks there is and controversially, or even for some offensively, wrote in 2018:

“Britain’s Labour party is tearing itself apart over anti-Semitism charges disingenuously cooked up by political opponents.”

Silverstein goes further:

“The real origin of the anti-Semitism scourge is in the UK’s Israel lobby….”

However, Lucianna Berger MP, has herself been a victim of anti-Semitism. Ms Berger said that “a catalogue of terrible incidents brought shame to the Labour Party,” and that the anti-Semitism in sections of the labour party was “shocking.”[9]

Notwithstanding this, and without questioning Ms Berger’s experience, Channel 4 anchor, Krishnan Guru-Murthy pointed out it was “striking” how many Conservatives MPs have rushed to support Ms Berger, yet those same MPs and indeed the Conservative Party as a whole have not been so animated in backing Baroness Sayeeda Warsi’s call for an investigation into Islamophobia within the same. This despite the vast prima facie evidence of Islamophobia. Is not anti-Muslim hate equally as vile as anti-Semitism for this Conservative Government?

Does anti-Semitism exist in the Conservative party?

Victor Orban, Hungarian PM is a particularly divisive figure who has been accused of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Orban has called refugees “Muslim invaders.”[10]

It was Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party which supported an unprecedented EU vote to trigger the article 7 procedure against Hungary in September 2018 over concerns that Orban’s government was “pandering to anti-Semitism.” In the run-up to his re-election in 2017, Orban made several clear anti-Semitic tropes, most likely in reference to the influential philanthropist and campaigner George Soros, who also happens to be wealthy as a result of his career as a financier:

“We are fighting an enemy that is different from us. They do not fight directly, but by stealth; they are not honourable, but unprincipled; they are not national, but international; they do not believe in work, but speculate with money; they have no homeland, but feel that the whole world is theirs. They are not generous, but vengeful, and always attack the heart – especially if it is red, white and green [the colours of the Hungarian flag].”[11]

Yet, despite all this, Conservative MEPs failed to support the historic vote against Orban, a decision criticised by the Board of Deputies President (Marie van der Zyl) who “noted with disappointment” the vote and expressed her concern over “vivid anti-Semitism” in Victor Orban’s campaign.[12]

The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews went further:

“It is very concerning that the Conservative Party MEPs chose to defend Hungary’s appalling track record, rather than supporting this motion to protect the rule of law.”[13]

Imagine the media furore if Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party had failed to hold Orban to account for his anti-Semitism. Instead the Labour leader’s spokesman said:

“Viktor Orban’s government in Hungary has clearly attacked judicial and media independence and denied refugee rights and pandered to antisemitism and Islamophobia and it was absolutely right that motion of censure and investigation under the disciplinary process of the European Union was launched, and was voted on just now by the European Parliament.

“It’s absolutely shocking that the Conservative MEPs voted against that motion.[14]”

Does anti-Semitism exist in the Muslim community?

Yes, sadly it does. Muslim voices should challenge and drown out that minority voice wherever it rears its ugly head. This issue is perhaps too long to address here but certainly those Muslims who hold anti-Semitic views and use criticism of Israel as a pretext to air their abhorrent views should be marginalised because, apart from anything else, it does the Palestinian cause no favour.

Furthermore, our noble Prophet (sall Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does ill to you and speak the truth even if it be against yourself.”[15]

There are those of course who will pounce at any concession that anti-Semitism exists in the Muslim community. But the Muslim community should be proud of its history and need not take any patronising lectures from up on high about combatting racism. Our Prophet (sall Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) spoke out against racism over a millennium before the UK’s anti-racist and human rights legislation of the 20th century:

“O people, your Lord is one Lord and you all share the same father (Ādam). There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab. Neither is the white superior over the black, nor is the black superior over the white – except by piety.”[16]

Indeed Muhammad (sall Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) manifested his belief by appointing a black African ex-slave as one of the senior members of his government. When the Prophet (sall Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) returned to free Makkah after he had been expelled from it, he didn’t ask Abū Bakr, ‘Umar or ‘Ali (may Allāh be pleased with all of them) to give the ādhān, instead he asked Bilāl b. Rabāh to stand atop of the Ka’ba and let the world hear the majestic call to Islām through his voice. It was yet another example of the Prophet Muhammad (sall Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) standing for justice and racial equality.

It’s time to have a grown-up discussion about anti-Semitism and the legitimate criticism of Israel. Shutting down debate by conflating the two is disingenuous, despite the likes of the French President Macron equating the two.[17] If such a law was passed in the UK, how would it view Gary Linekar’s comments on IDF soldiers shouting, dragging and detaining Palestinian children in a cage?

Former England captain, the first Englishman to win the Golden Boot and general all-round legend said the video was “sickening” and when challenged by a former IDF spokesman rhetorically asked: “They should be stuffed into a small cage?” Or what of B’Tselem (Israeli human rights group) who themselves initially released the video of Israeli soldiers abusing Palestinian children and said:

“Unfortunately, this is routine all through the West Bank. Palestinian minors’ rights are violated systematically by Israeli authorities.”[18]

If Israel claims to be the only democracy in the middle east, it should be big enough to take criticism. Rather, if it truly is a democracy it should welcome it.

To end with the words of Jewish Voice for Labour:

“We urge all who wish to see an end to bigotry and racism, and who seek a more just society, to give their support to the Labour party.”[19]

]]>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet for Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS) on Wednesday. Modi welcomed MBS to India on the Crown Prince’s first official visit to India.

MBS’ visit follows hot on the heels of his lavish visit to Pakistan in which $20 billion from the Saudi coffers was secured by the host nation. However, the Crown Prince said he expected to invest $100 billion in India over the next two years:

“Today we expect the opportunities we are targeting in India in various fields to exceed $100 billion in the coming two years… we want to work with you, Mr Prime Minister, to ensure these investments are made and to ensure useful returns for both countries.”[1]

In addition, the two leaders in a joint press conference spoke of terrorism being a common concern, with MBS agreeing to share intelligence with India. The Crown Prince’s visit follows an attack on Indian troops in occupied Kashmir, which India – predictably and without evidence – lays at the door of Pakistan. Islamabad denies any involvement and has called for an investigation.

The Crown Prince said: “We face similar challenges, chief among them extremism and terrorism … and we reaffirm to India that we are ready to work in the intelligence and political arenas to coordinate our efforts…”[2]

In addition, the Crown Prince agreed to release 850 Indian criminals being held in Saudi at the request of Modi. Muhammad Bin Salman spoke of his admiration for Modi and how he considered him an “elder brother”.[3] Commentators were quick to point out that Modi is responsible for some of the worst religious violence ever seen in Independent India during the frenzied murder and rape pogrom in Gujurat.

On February 27, 2002, a train coach carrying Hindu Pilgrims caught fire at Godhra station in Gujurat. 58 people died. Modi moved quickly and blamed Pakistan’s ISI (security service) without evidence. To further stoke tensions in an already febrile atmosphere, Modi had the charred bodies paraded in the main city of Ahmedabad. What followed was perhaps predictable. Thousands of Muslims were butchered. Mobs of Hindu men dragged mothers and daughters from their homes and raped them. One ring leader Babu Bajrangi, later boasted how he had slit open the womb of a pregnant Muslim woman.[4]

The Prime Minister of India said of the 2002 Gujarat bloodshed, that he felt the same pain as someone who had run over a puppy, with their car. Modi described the camps which housed 200,000 Muslims who had lost their homes as a result of the Gujurat massacre as “baby making factories.”[5]

Saudi Arabia is India’s primary supplier of crude oil, and could have exerted considerable pressure on Modi to improve the living conditions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and indeed Muslims across India. Against the menacing backdrop of India’s growing Hinduvta movement, it appears to be a wasted opportunity.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/modi-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-saudi-prince-mbs/feed/040949Hundreds killed in Indonesia tsunamihttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/hundreds-killed-in-indonesia-tsunami/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/hundreds-killed-in-indonesia-tsunami/#respondMon, 24 Dec 2018 11:07:49 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=39764At least 281 people have died so far, with more than 1,016 injured…

]]>Jaw-dropping footage has emerged of a tsunami which struck Indonesia’s coastal tourist destinations on Saturday at 21:30 local time (14:30 GMT). Footage being shared on social media shows the very moment revellers at a concert for a popular Indonesian rock band were struck by the deadly wall of water.

At least 281 people have died so far, with more than 1,016 injured, although these figures are likely to rise. The tsunami is said to have been triggered by landslides caused by an underground volcanic eruption. The volcano is called Anak Krakatoa.[1]

An alternative theory, which may be supported by satellite imagery suggests that part of the volcano may have collapsed into the sea, thereby causing waves to surge ahead of it. However, the reality is that without warning the colossal waves struck at night destroying hundreds of buildings.

As reported in the Guardian, Ben van der Pluijm, an earthquake geologist and a professor in the University of Michigan, said the tsunami may have been caused by a partial collapse of Anak Krakatau. He said:

“Instability of the slope of an active volcano can create a rock slide that moves a large volume of water, creating local tsunami waves that can be very powerful. This is like suddenly dropping a bag of sand in a tub filled with water.” [2]

Whilst rescue efforts have started, these are being hampered by debris from houses, upturned cars and fallen trees blocking roads. However, the Indonesia disaster mitigation agency has said in order to support the rescue effort it is using heavy equipment to assist in moving the debris. [3]

Horrific first-hand accounts have been published by the survivors. A crew member of the Indonesian band, Zac, posted on Instagram that he only survived by holding on to part of the stage and “in the final seconds (underwater) I almost ran out of breath.” [4]

In another account, from shop owner Rudi Herdiansyah, he said that the beach was very quiet when he suddenly heard something “very loud from the sea.” The shop keeper then described how his shop was hit by the devastating waves and that he was dragged away by the powerful waves. Rudi survived and said:

“Thank God. Allah saved me, I was able to get out from the debris.” [5]

Indonesia is no stranger to tragic Tsunamis as it sits on what is known as a “Ring of Fire”.[6] In 2004, on Boxing day, a series of Tsunamis struck Indonesia in which an estimated 227,898 died, with Banda Aceh reporting the largest number of victims. The underwater earthquake measured between 9.1 and 9.3 Mw, the third largest ever recorded.

Residents near the Anak Krakatau volcano have today been warned to keep clear from beaches due to fears this could trigger another tsunami.